Tuesday, August 25, 2009

THE CASE AGAINST BILL DEWEESE

As they have on-and-off for more than a year, the rumors are flying that partisan Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett finally will announce a second round of "Bonusgate" indictments by the end of next week.

Interestingly, these rumors suggest Corbett is likely to indict more Democrats in this impending round, most likely former Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese.

While no one even casually acquainted with the workings of the Capitol believes for a second DeWeese's protestations of innocence, we thought we'd see what solid evidence Corbett and his investigators have accumulated that could justify additional Democratic arrests. So we headed down to the Dauphin County Courthouse and blew most of the CasablancaPA beer budget on copies of public filings and transcripts.

A few things have come into clearer focus now that we've had an opportunity to review hundreds of pages of court filings.

First, it is beyond a shadow of a doubt that DeWeese was aware of the bonus program.

Mike Manzo testified during the preliminary hearing in October 2008 that DeWeese was aware of and approved the program. See his testimony here.

If there is any doubt regarding his choice of the phrase "I believe he did," then it is made crystal clear by Manzo's attorney immediately following the hearing:

Manzo isn't the only House staffer to provide sworn testimony that DeWeese had direct knowledge and approved the awarding of bonuses. DeWeese's assistant Kat Manucci testified to the grand jury in May of 2008 that she witnessed DeWeese approving the bonus program. Veon included it as Exhibit E 16 in his July 2009 filing. You can see it here.

Second, DeWeese's legislative staff apparently worked on his campaigns using state resources for many years pre-dating Manzo's tenure as chief-of-staff.

Veon included in his July 2009 filing several documents turned over by the OAG that show DeWeese's former chief of staff, Doug Rohanna, worked on DeWeese's campaigns and other Democrats' campaigns, on state time using state resources, as far back as 1998. These documents are found in Exhibit E 24. You can read it here.

Here is our summary with links to the corresponding attachments from Exhibit J:

Bill DeWeese was aware of and approved the awarding of bonuses beyond Holiday or year-end bonuses, as shown by emails he sent to House caucus staff. [See attachment 1]

Corbett accuses defendants Veon and Cott of directing political campaign email and website work done by taxpayer-fundedd contractor Eric Buxton and his company. Yet there is not a single email in evidence between Veon or Cott and Buxton and his company. However, Corbett turned over to Veon 123 individual emails directly between Buxton and DeWeese aide Kevin Sidella, in which they discuss developing and implementing political campaign email and website strategies. [See attachment 2]

Corbett also turned over 93 individual emails directly between Buxton and DeWeese aide Tom Andrews, in which they discuss developing and implementing political campaign email and website strategies. [See attachment 3]

Finally, Corbett turned over individual emails directly between Buxton and DeWeese himself> in which they discuss developing and implementing political campaign email and website strategies. [See attachment 4]

Keep in mind that most of the documents Corbett received were hand-picked by DeWeese and his army of taxpayer-funded defense attorneys, yet a significant amount of incriminating evidence slipped through. Corbett received the Andrews and Sidella e-mails directly from Buxton, bypassing Team DeWeese.

With so much incriminating evidence, it's hard for many in the Capitol to believe DeWeese has escaped prosecution, which is why the rumors of his impending arrest persist. Some of us here at CasablancaPA think DeWeese has an immunity deal with Corbett. Charlie Thompson of the Patriot News reported a second secret immunity deal in October of 2007; the arrest of DeWeese on charges based on the above evidence will undeniably prove there is no deal between Corbett and DeWeese.

25 comments:

"Round Up The Usual Suspects”, or in this case "Round Up The Usual Old News," created Of CasablancaPA, By CasablancaPA, and For CasablancaPA Posters. I just read many of the links, posts, and once again, it is OLD NEWS made up by speculations, meant to distort real evidence on the record.

Mike Manzo again said, "I Believe He Knew", but a belief is not evidence. What you attribute to Bill DeWeese in the Veon Lawyer’s filings is what Mike Manzo was doing without DeWeese’s knowledge and you know that to be true.

The other links produced by CasblancaPA actually implicate Mike Manzo, Mike Veon, Brett Cott, and Todd Eachus being in charge of Re-election campaigns NOT BILL DEWEESE. Their names appear on almost all emails on the Re-election Campaigns they made decisions upon and all reported to them. This cannot be erased, made up, or altered no matter what is done.

Nice try, but it will not work.

This Website started out as claiming Bill DeWeese and Tom Corbett have been together on the investigations trying to claim they made up evidence, selected evidence, and cut a deal somehow for the Governorship.

The only one making up things right now is CasablancaPA; even the Newspapers are ignoring your posts, links, and claims, because they lack substance.

I support you because I feel there is a better way to resolve all these accusations and because it is my belief in my heart, all of you were doing a job not trying to break any laws.

Still, when one makes up things on others, one cannot ask others for consideration of their innocence either. It only proves you know you may be guiltier than we know, but I prefer to understand the circumstances you were under and feel we need fairness more than a witch-hunt.

Things were kept from DeWeese and it shows in most of the emails submitted in the Presentments, Veon Filings, and now even here at CasablancaPA.

The Mountain of Evidence against the people running the campaigns compared to the molehill of mistakes DeWeese admitted in a straightforward and forthright manner to the Media, Attorney General, and the Public.

Again, nice try but it will not work, too much evidence against those claiming innocence, and too little against DeWeese for an Indictment.

Bill DeWeese did the right thing, he hired outsiders to investigate the HDC, told all to cooperate, found out what happen, took action, placed in new reforms, protected fellow colleagues’ privacy, and the Attorney General checked and double-checked all the evidence they found too.

Mike Manzo was asked directly on cross-examination who knew about the bonuses and he responded with Bill's name. Who knew? Bill knew. Oh, Bill knew? I believe he did, yes. And just in case anyone is confused: Bill knew. Unequivocally.

And I think everyone is really just tired of these ridiculous attempts to portray the $1.3 milion + taxpayer-funded criminal defense that Bill Chadwick provided for DeWeese as some sort of public service.

This post should more accurately be titled, "CASABLANCAPA's Case Against Bill DeWeese," because you're the only ones who began -- and who continue -- beating that drum.It's understandable that you want to keep blaming someone else for your misfortune -- as all accused and convicted criminals do. But this isn't a political cmpaign (your specialty?), so slinging mud, repetition of message and fanatical belief in the cause won't carry the day.Anyone who reads this blog for more than two days can reach one conclusion: You have a hard on for two people -- and two people only: Tom Corbett and Bill DeWeese.Your aims are even at cross-ends. On the one hand, you seek to totally discredit Corbett's investigation of Bonusgate. But on the other hand, with equal venom, you seek to cajole, prick and strong-arm him into acting against DeWeese.It seems the only thing that would make you happy is if Corbett dropped charges against the Dirty Dozen, halted his ongoing investigation immediately and announced that he was seeking the death penalty against DeWeese because someone said, "I BELIEVE he knew about the murder!" Interestingly, you criticize Corbett for being partisan -- yet in your own reverent treatment of the Veon filing as a lost chapter of the Bible, you write LITTLE to NOTHING about its allegations against other legislators. Apparently, you are content to let SightsOnPennsylvania inform the public of Veon's specific allegations (and in fairness, that's all they are) against "Legislator X."The partisan behavior isn't coming from Corbett. It's coming from CasablancaPA.

Anonymous.....Signor Ferrari said...Mike Manzo was asked directly on cross-examination who knew about the bonuses and he responded with Bill's name. Who knew? Bill knew. Oh, Bill knew? I believe he did, yes. And just in case anyone is confused: Bill knew. Unequivocally.And I think everyone is really just tired of these ridiculous attempts to portray the $1.3 milion + taxpayer-funded criminal defense that Bill Chadwick provided for DeWeese as some sort of public service. It's nice that you feel kind of guilty about it, though. August 25, 2009 11:48 PM"

I have defended everyone here from Defendants, to Guilty Pleaders, to Immunity Witnesses, to Veon and Ramley. This includes DeWeese, George, Santoni, Evans, Perzel, and other lawmakers too. I just feel it is so easy to attack all with a broad brush, when these are ethical issues more than criminality.

I do so because I truly feel these prosecutions have become a with-hunt based on laws that make criminals out of lawmakers.

These laws make it impossible to conduct political operations in a political jobs, and anyone at anytime can be charged, thus many of the laws need to be changed not people charged.

The whole legislature can be charged too, along with other elected Commonwealth Offices including the AG. Therefore, I keep proposing alternatives for fairness sake for all.

Yet, you putting up again and again, and repeating it in your posts, that Manzo "BELIEVED" DeWeese knew is just out right WRONG.

As much as the wrong assumptions have been placed against all of the Defendants, and it will NOT work because it lacks the foundation of the truth.

All it does is makes it harder to defend all and adds to my own doubts on your own guilt if you intend to seek out lies about others to defend yourselves.

You need not do this, you have your own foundations of the truth too.

This is all I am saying and I thank you for the opportunity to express my views and opinions here.

"Signor Ferrari said......"..you putting up again and again, and repeating it in your posts, that Manzo "BELIEVED" DeWeese knew is just out right WRONG.>Why is it wrong? That's what he said. And his lawyer clarified after the hearing that what Manzo meant was that DeWeese definitely knew. That fact is backed up by the e-mails and Kat Manucci's testimony. Points for persistence, though. August 26, 2009 2:02 PM"

It is wrong because Mike Manzo under oath said he "BELIEVED" not that DeWeese Did Know, even Mike Manzo could not say DeWeese knew once under oath..

There is a world of difference there. You know it too!

When you put this blog up, you targeted DeWeese but ignored all the evidence pointing at those that were running the campaigns as seen by thousands o Emails. You added speculation that DeWeese and Corbett cut deals, but one can see you have been cutting deals with others in trying to target other lawmakers.

I have read things on Eachus, George, Santoni, Evans, Dermody and others here from Veon’s Exhibits submitted to Court to dismiss the case against himself, but was rejected by the Judge. I understand Mike Veon should be upset when Emails showing others were working with the Political Campaign Staffers, and he has a right to point that out. Nevertheless, once rejected, Mike Veon’s Filings are actually indicting the entire Democratic Legislature not the Republicans. This is not

Now all you do is repost Old Postings, then claim it is new and just repeat claims that have been refuted by other documents, evidence, and testimony in the same Mike Veon’s Exhibits he submitted to the courts.

This undercuts your own creditbility and it makes you look like you are wiling to lie about others even if it does not save yourself.

If you're uncomfortable with the revelations that Bill DeWeese knew about and directed bonuses, made personnel decisions based on political activity and used state resources for political work, then blame the staff members who wrote the e-mails (including DeWeese himself) and gave the testimony, not Team CasablancaPA. We report, you decide. What could be more fair and balanced?

You actually are delusional enough to claim, "We report, you decide" and expect people to believe there's no spin in what you do?You're about as "fair and balanced" as Fox News.Why, the subtitle of your blog is even proudly displayed, "Exposing the hypocrisy of Tom Corbett."Pardon me for not being stupid, but that's a far cry from "All the News That's Fit to Print."

"Signor Ferrari said...If you're uncomfortable with the revelations that Bill DeWeese knew about and directed bonuses, made personnel decisions based on political activity and used state resources for political work, then blame the staff members who wrote the e-mails (including DeWeese himself) and gave the testimony, not Team CasablancaPA. We report, you decide. What could be more fair and balanced? August 26, 2009 4:55 PM"

I am not uncomfortable at all with the DeWeese Emails, what I am uncomfortable with is when you make conclusions on information clearly not precise, accurate, an then you distort the truth within them.

Seems to me, the emails we have read on Operation Research preferring to distort records and paint others character with doubts is a practice you cannot stop.

In addition, the DeWeese Emails are so paltry in number and vague compared to your own, and others you gave to the courts.

Finally, it will be interesting if any of the Defendants met with other people to disclose Grand Jury Information.

After all, it is said, if the crimes in the Presentments do not stand, these kinds of actions often do, just as Jimmy Hoffa's son.

Guilty Pleas Agreements can be changed if the AG Offices feels its investigation has been compromised by such meetings.

As OAG Agent Soop testified in Oct. 2008, it was Bill DeWeese and his highly-paid team of taxpayer-funded lawyers who picked and chose what emails to turn over to the OAG, so it's not surprising the ones that incriminate him are "paltry in number". What's surpising is that Corbett appaently ignored the few but clearly incriminating emails he did see. Of course, there is a possible logical explanation for that.

"Signor Ferrari said..."..the DeWeese emails are so paltry in number.." As OAG Agent Soop testified in Oct. 2008, it was Bill DeWeese and his highly-paid team of taxpayer-funded lawyers who picked and chose what emails to turn over to the OAG, so it's not surprising the ones that incriminate him are "paltry in number". What's surpising is that Corbett appaently ignored the few but clearly incriminating emails he did see. Of course, there is a possible logical explanation for that. August 27, 2009 8:02 AM

A Judge ruled on that and dismissed Veon' Lawyer motion, so once again, you distort the findings. DeWeese had no choice but find out what happen and did the right thing when he did find out. You should know attempted cover-ups often are worse than any actual crimes or ethical misdeeds.

You know the BIG problem for all Defendants is MANZO Guilty Plead and admission before witnesses he (Manzo) kept things from DeWeese.

The thing you should be working on is what Manzo kept from all of you too.

After all, he kept things from his wife that deserved better, so friends, colleagues, staffers, and bosses were certainly not removed from Manzo's action either.

Your attacks on DeWeese cannot work with so many other Emails proving DeWeese just like Rachel Manzo had information and deeds kept from him too.

It is your lawyers that have to question Manzo not DeWeese; it is Manzo that turned you in since he was working with you the entire time, not DeWeese. Along with Foreman, LaGrotta, and Lavelle and the immunity witnesses and other staffers refusing to lie under oath.

Your own Lawyers will tell you that Manzo's Testimony has to be tainted for you to walk, go ahed check it out!

I support you, but not when you blame others that were clearly misled, in fact DeWeese, Eachus, and many other Legislators can actually help you when they testify to what Manzo kept to himself and did for himself without many knowing it.

"Signor Ferrari said...."..you putting up again and again, and repeating it in your posts, that Manzo "BELIEVED" DeWeese knew is just out right WRONG.> Why is it wrong? That's what he said. And his lawyer clarified after the hearing that what Manzo meant was that DeWeese definitely knew. That fact is backed up by the e-mails and Kat Manucci's testimony. Points for persistence, though. August 26, 2009 2:02 PM"

The BIG, BIG, and BIG problem in misquoting testimony here at CASABLANCAPA is when they fudge the interpretations to meet their own outright lying conclusions, and then get upset when others point it out.

This tactic has been the Hallmark of CASBLANCAPA and its misuse to have more Democrats indicted to join them not helps them.

ONCE AGAIN, they have misled Posters when one fails to post that DeWeese was relying on what MIKE MANZO was telling him. Just read all of the testimony of Kat Manucci I have copied it per word.

Clearly, it was MANZO that told DeWeese, "That Several People EMPLOYEES OF THE CAUCUS, (Includes Rachel Manzo-Mike Manzo’ Wife), Were Coming Up For Their ANNUAL EMPLOYEES EVALUATIONS, They Were Gung-Ho, Go Getters, Do 110 Percent, Always VOLUNTEER. Giving More Than They Are Asked, Whether It’s STAYING LATE, Working Weekends, They VOLUNTEER TO DO CAMPAIGN WORK.”

This is what Kat Manucci ACTUALLY testified to under oath.

DeWeese directed all the HDC employees to cooperate with AG Office Grand Jury to avoid any cover-ups. Please note Veon’s Lawyers cleverly cut off the rest of Kat Manucci Grand Jury Testimony, so we do not see all of it in the Veons' Filings?

Now that we have seen the entire quote, we know that DeWeese was being told one thing by MANZO on the bonuses and their purposes, as MANZO is describing them as Employee Evaluations.

Kat went on to testify UNDER OATH, “With That, Manzo Would Go Ahead And Decide What He (MANZO) Was Going To Give Those People In Terms Of Bonuses".Please note again, at no time does Kat Manucci mention Manzo telling DeWeese the employees worked on State Time, only that they VOLUNTEER to do Campaigns.

Please Note further, Manzo has pled Guilty and Manzo admitted in public the day he was fired Manzo let DeWeese down by not telling him everything on what was going on, in front of witnesses.

"Signor Ferrari said...."..you putting up again and again, and repeating it in your posts, that Manzo "BELIEVED" DeWeese knew is just out right WRONG.> Why is it wrong? That's what he said. And his lawyer clarified after the hearing that what Manzo meant was that DeWeese definitely knew. That fact is backed up by the e-mails and Kat Manucci's testimony. Points for persistence, though. August 26, 2009 2:02 PM"

After they were caught covering up their own actions from DeWeese, the public and other lawmakers. They continue to be upset that DeWeese chose to bring in his own Investigators to find out what happen. DeWeese refused to attempt a cover up as a Democratic Leader.

I guess CASABLANCAPA does not count on some of us to read all of that so-called evidence they claim makes a case against DeWeese. They are actually making a case why DeWeese should not be indicted when one reads all their postings. Unfortunately, they are under cutting their own pleads of innocence as they continue finger pointing other Democratic Lawmakers without pointing out the differences.

No Lawmaker but one alleged used state time and employees to send motorcycles to Idaho, Only DeWeese's signature was a proven a forgery to approve funding of a secret Computer Program run by the HDCC that never included DeWeese nor DeWeese Campaign Re-election Emails.

Only one Lawmaker sign a secret lease even the Leaser did not know was to be used with State Money for a Cigar Store Apartment. Only MANZO misused his girlfriend for campaign purposes, and the top people in charge of the campaigns knew about it but not DeWeese? We also know based on the Veons’ Filings that Veon, Manzo, and Cott, worked closely with Todd Eachus as seen in the majority of Emails provided by Veon Lawyers.

Yet, they propose DeWeese knew everything but are silent on what Eachus knew and directed? I happen to think Manzo kept things from DeWeese and Eachus, but when they post only about DeWeese, and ignore Eachus, you have to wonder if they are meeting with Manzo as we speak?

Sorry, I had to set the record straight on Kat Manucci testimony in the context it was given, not distorted by CASABLANCAPA.

I support the Defendants in many of their defenses saying they did not intend to violate campaign laws, and feel the Commonwealth can resolve ethical violations a better way without prosecutions for all. Nonetheless, I cannot condone any attacks on other Democrats such as DeWeese, Eachus, McCall, and others when such misdirection of spin is placed on this blog.

We can prove to any jury of our peers that much of the prosecution counts should be dismissed, but we must do so, with fairness, and explain why political work in most cases was not any intent to break any laws.

Regarding some other violations of using state money, we can prove that it is an ethical violation that can repay the treasury, more so than criminal activity. Let us win on the facts, not by operation research that looks like we spin more than tell the whole truth. We will win on Appeal anyway!

I had to set the record straight on Kat Manucci testimony in the context it was given, not distorted by CASABLANCAPA.

As we posted a link to the actual transcript of her actual testimony, we can hardly be accused of distortion. Manucci testified that Manzo told DeWeese that the employees deserved bonuses because they worked on campaigns, among other things. DeWeese repeatedly claimed he was aware of no bonuses for anything beyond "routine seniority and holiday bonuses."

Didn't I read that DeWeese recently hired Paul Sunyak? I guess replying to posts on CasablancaPA is one of the reasons for that hire. It is hilarious to listen to the protestations of DeWeese's innocence. It seems to me if Corbett is using sworn testimony from Manzo and others, and is using all these documents to make his case against Veon, then all this testimony and all these documents are just as damaging to DeWeese. Thank you for posting this stuff so we can read it for ourselves. Sorry DeWeese lovers, but the stuff Corbett has on DeWeese is pretty clear.

"Signor Ferrari said..."Only DeWeese's signature was a proven a forgery" Was it, indeed? And who, pray tell, was charged with forging it? I had to set the record straight on Kat Manucci testimony in the context it was given, not distorted by CASABLANCAPA. As we posted a link to the actual transcript of her actual testimony, we can hardly be accused of distortion. Manucci testified that Manzo told DeWeese that the employees deserved bonuses because they worked on campaigns, among other things. DeWeese repeatedly claimed he was aware of no bonuses for anything beyond "routine seniority and holiday bonuses. August 27, 2009 4:45 PM"

A few answers for and corrections.

Well, once again, you are asking a question but have no answers when you may actually know more than posters like me know or AG Office at this time.

We do know this, DeWeese proved his signature was forged, and that exonerates DeWeese. Especially, after Manzo admitted in public that he kept things from DeWeese.

Therefore, by conclusion, we know DeWesse did not forge his own name and that is an answer you may not like but it is a proven fact now.

If you know the person that forged his name, you have a duty to expose it.

Once again, regarding Kat Manucci Testimony, I typed word by word for all to see, to avoid erroneous conclusions.

Now all can come to their own conclusions of where the truth is at, not as described in the CasablancaPA article you posted with false conclusions to suit your own wayward defense, which came to only one conclusion out of context I might add.

As you continue to try to make DeWeese guilty of crimes Manzo has admitted to, pleaded to, and continues to testify to, you cannot ignore Manzo was working with Veon, Cott, Eachus, every day as seen in thousands of Emails posted by Veons’ Lawyer on Eachus, not just a few you try to post up on DeWeese.

It is clear from all the Emails posted by Veon' Lawyers the Chairman of Re-election Campaigns to Protect the Incumbents were Veon, Manzo, Eachus, and Cott, not DeWeese.

Manzo has admitted he did things in DeWeese name so you distort when you cite only DeWeese.

The only person that pleaded guilty is Manzo above and since he hid things from others, he may of hid things from Veon, Eachus, and Cott too. This is where your problem is today, not DeWeese.

If anything, the Press, AG Office, and even Defense Lawyers can now see your attacks are misplaced as you undermine your own defense by such postings.

"Anonymous said...Didn't I read that DeWeese recently hired Paul Sunyak? I guess replying to posts on CasablancaPA is one of the reasons for that hire. It is hilarious to listen to the protestations of DeWeese's innocence. It seems to me if Corbett is using sworn testimony from Manzo and others, and is using all these documents to make his case against Veon, then all this testimony and all these documents are just as damaging to DeWeese. Thank you for posting this stuff so we can read it for ourselves. Sorry DeWeese lovers, but the stuff Corbett has on DeWeese is pretty clear. August 27, 2009 4:57 PM"

On the contrary, the postings placed by Veons' Lawyers actually is helping DeWeese prove he was kept out of the self-dealings of the people running the HDCC Re-election Campaigns.

This includes Veons' Lawyers posting emails showing the HDCC was run by Veon, Eachus, Manzo, and Cott.

It is pretty clear Manzo also admitted to hiding things from DeWeese and others and admitted it too.

Nice try, but once you read all the emails you see the real picture. In totality, DeWeese made some mistakes and admitted them, but unlike some, there is no way they rise to the level of abuse of state time, money, and attempted cover-ups.

It looks more and more, DeWeese himself was a victim of some trying to replace his leadership, or make him lose, and leave him with the blame, but Manzo admissions in time will make others talk sooner not later.

DeWeese does not need anyone to write or defend him, Veons' Lawyers did a great job doing that when they posted all the Emails on all Democrats.

I am puzzled why Veons' Lawyers ever posted this information so damaging to all Democrats?

I read in the Post-Gazette that Brett Cott, one of the guys DeWeese fired and Corbett has charged, once spent 11 weeks in Beaver County working on Veon's CAMPAIGN, all while collecting a state paycheck.As a taxpayer that makes me sick. And it tells me Corbett knows what he's doing.

"Anonymous said...Brett Cott was living in Beaver County during the Veon Campaign. All the AG had to do was trace his Cell Phone and the GPS placed him right were he was at all times. August 27, 2009 10:29 PM"

Brett Cott can be a Two Edged Sword, one where his zeal is something to admire when you need him, and the other where the Zeal often can blind him as well.

With that said, Brett will have no problem overcoming these current problems that beset him, and if he keeps his head will actually come out far better than ever, and if you know Brett that is nothing but a compliment.

Brett can actually be the Keystone to bringing all Democrats together again, in my humble opinion. I say so with great respect for him. I just wish he does not become a victim of these charges that destroys his spirit.

In the future, any Private Political Organization will do well to hire Brett.